Difference Between Farther and Further

Difference Between Farther and Further

Many people use “further” and “farther” interchangeable, but, in fact, they mean slightly different things.

“Farther” refers to a physical distance, while “further” refers to a figurative distance.

So, when wondering how many more miles or kilometers to a particular destination, we’d say, “How much farther to the gas station?” On the other hand, when speaking of a figurative measure, we should use “further”. For example, “Nothing could be further from the truth.” (Also read : Differences IN ON AT for Adverb of Time )

Probably the best way to remember the distinction between “farther” and “further” is to think about where we’d use the word “furthermore”. In this case, we use it much like “in addition to”, which is tied to something figurative.

So just remember “farther” = “physical” and “further” = “figurative”.

Other idea about Difference Between “Farther” and “Further” :

A. Farther

If you’re a stickler for the rules, then farther should be used with physical distance. In other words, if you’re thinking about more miles, more kilometers, more inches, more centimeters, etc., then you almost certainly want farther. (Also read other article at : Penjelasan Lengkap dan Contoh Recount Text)

Question: How much farther?

Answer: Four miles.

Question: How much farther?

Answer: Six hundred centimetres.

Question: How much farther?

Answer: It’s just around the corner.

(This satisfies both criteria; i.e., it’s both physical and non-physical distance. Further would have been okay as well.)

Question: How much farther?

Answer: Three more fence posts.

(This satisfies both criteria; i.e., it’s both physical and non-physical distance. Further would have been okay as well.)

B. Further

Further should be used with non-physical distance. If you’re not thinking about more miles etc. but more time, more effort (in fact, more anything that isn’t distance), then you almost certainly want further. Further is more diverse than farther. Farther is limited to the idea of more distance. Further, on the other hand, covers all topics (even distance these days) and can mean furthermore, moreover, more, additional, extra and supplementary. (Also read other article in Indonesian version at : Soal tentang Descriptive Text)

Question: Further?

Answer: No, I get your point.

Question: Further?

Answer: Two days.

Question: Further?

Answer: We still have over a 100 to make.

Question: Further?

Answer: It’s just around the corner.

(Farther would have been okay too, but further is less likely to be frowned upon.)

Question: Further?

Answer: Three more fence posts.

(Farther would have been okay too, but further is less likely to be frowned upon.)

Question: Further?

Answer: Twenty-six pages.

That’s all the information about Difference Between Farther and Further we can share in this occasion. We hope the sharing about Difference Between Farther and Further above can be useful. (Also read other article in Indonesian version at : Faithful Promise Love)